A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR
We will soon be in the season of Advent. Advent consists of the four Sundays before the Nativity of Jesus. This is a time of preparation and hopefulness. In worship, the readings will focus on the coming of the messiah through prophetic voices of the Old Testament. John’s proclamation and Mary’s song will point to Jesus as the fulfillment of those
prophecies.
In the weeks ahead, we wait for the Christmas celebration of “Immanuel, God with us”. We will look back and hear again the story of that night in Bethlehem where shepherds visit a newborn in a stable. We recognize the gift of God’s own self that God shares with the world.
Christmas is not just about the past, but the future as well. We wait for the return of Christ and the fulfillment of creation as God intended. The watchword of Advent is “be
prepared!” and “stay awake!” So, we wait.
In the 1960’s, the first American astronauts endured rigorous physical, emotional and
psychological testing, in addition to the schoolwork involved in preparing for space flight. On the way to a scheduled test, a group of astronaut trainees were placed in a room and told to wait there until the instructors were ready with the next test. In this waiting area there were some comfortable couches, checkers, cards and other games. There were magazines and paper and pens. There may have even been a TV.
What they did not know was that was the test. Those in charge wanted to see how each
person spent that time waiting. Who would gather and who would stay by himself? Which activities would each one gravitate towards? Who appeared anxious as the waiting time stretched out? There were certainly other criteria being tested in this experiment.
I am never going to be an astronaut, but I still find myself waiting. Not as an experiment to look into my psyche, but as one of many in a checkout line waiting for my turn. Some stand quietly, perhaps having a moment of introspection or planning the next part of the day. Some re-check their list to be assured they have everything in their cart. Some check out the magazines and the latest celebrity gossip. Some scroll through their phones. Some engage in a conversation with those around them. Some watch other people in line and
observe what they are doing.
I do not know if there is a “right” thing to do while waiting, but I am sure we could compile a list of what not to do. We do not wait for waiting’s sake. We wait to be checked out and go to the next part of the day.
Advent reminds us that we are waiting, and not just for the next thing on the list, but the coming of Jesus in the fullest way imaginable and beyond.
Pastor John